1898–99 British Home Championship

The 1898–99 British Home Championship was an international football tournament between the British Home Nations. A very high scoring affair, the competition featured the highest scoreline ever achieved in the Home Championships when England defeated Ireland 13–2 in Sunderland, including a hat-trick in four minutes from Gilbert Smith.[1] It was the first of two particularly heavy defeats for the Irish side, who nevertheless still managed to finish third, courtesy of a victory over Wales.

1898–99 British Home Championship
Tournament details
Host countryEngland, Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Dates18 February – 8 April 1899
Teams4
Final positions
Champions England (7th title)
Runners-up Scotland
Tournament statistics
Matches played6
Goals scored23 (3.83 per match)
Top scorer(s) Bob McColl (6 goals)

England's win over the Ireland was the start of the tournament and placed them immediately on top of the table, a position Ireland joined them in with their 1–0 victory over Wales in the second game. Scotland began their bid for the title in the third match with a strong 6–0 win over Wales in Wrexham. Wales' poor competition was finished in their next game when England again took top position by beating them 4–0. In the penultimate game, Scotland joined England at the top of the table with a 9–1 demolition of Ireland, who had conceded 21 goals in two games but still finished third. In the deciding match, England and Scotland both played a strong game but England eventually proved stronger, winning 2–1.

Table

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 England (C) 3 3 0 0 19 3 +16 6
 Scotland 3 2 0 1 16 3 +13 4
 Ireland 3 1 0 2 4 22 18 2
 Wales 3 0 0 3 0 11 11 0
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points. The points system worked as follows: 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.
(C) Champion.

Results

England 13–2 Ireland
 39', 59', 60', 63' Gilbert Smith
 53', 55', 80' Jimmy Settle
 40', 89' Steve Bloomer
 20', 52' Fred Forman
 15' Frank Forman
 25' Charlie Athersmith
(Match summary)  65' (pen.) Joe McAllen
 88' James Campbell

Ireland 1 – 0 Wales
 60' Philip Meldon  

Wales 0 – 6 Scotland
   22', 55' John Campbell
 50', 75', 85' Bob McColl
 70' Henry Marshall
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Charles E. Sutcliffe (England)

England 4 – 0 Wales
 44', 86' Steve Bloomer
 60' Fred Forman
 30' Ernest Needham
 

Scotland 9–1 Ireland
Bob McColl  5', 25', 47'
Alexander Christie  10'
RC Hamilton  20', 65'
Jack Bell  35'
John Campbell  70', 80'
 54' Archie Goodall
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Charles E. Sutcliffe (England)

England 2 – 1 Scotland
Gilbert Smith  25'
Jimmy Settle  40'
 52' RC Hamilton
Attendance: 25,590
Referee: James Torrans (Ireland)

References

  • Guy Oliver (1992). The Guinness Record of World Soccer. Guinness. ISBN 0-85112-954-4.
  1. "England v Ireland". EU Football.Info.
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